Information processing system, information processing method, and computer program

This application claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-049911 filed Mar. 27, 2023, the entire contents of the prior application being incorporated herein by reference.

This disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a computer program.

An information processing system is known that generates an animation of a character object based on movement of a user and distributes a video including the animation of the character object.

Additionally, the appearance of the character object is generally generated by combining parts selected by a user.

Here, parts that generate a character object include those that are provided for free of charge if a predetermined condition is met, and those that can be obtained with a predetermined probability through a lottery such as a gacha. Additionally, technology has been developed to sell the parts that generate a character object at a shop in a virtual space.

In recent years, in addition to video distribution, there has been an increase in the provision of services that use a character object, which is a person's own avatar, such as video chats and the metaverse.

In such a situation, it is expected that an increasing number of users will use a shop to adjust the appearance of their character objects before they are seen by other users. If there are many steps from the time a user uses a shop to the time s/he distributes a video, the start of distributing a video and the like will be delayed, and there is a risk that the user's desire to distribute a video and the like will even decrease.

Furthermore, the delay in the start of distributing a video and the decrease in users' desire to distribute a video lead to a reduction in distribution time, and the like, and there is a risk that the quality of video content may deteriorate.

Accordingly, it is an object of this disclosure to provide a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least part of the problem of the conventional technology described above.

One of the more specific objects of this disclosure is to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a computer program that allow a user to smoothly start distributing a video and the like by reducing the number of steps from the time a user uses a shop to the time s/he distributes a video.

An information processing system of this disclosure comprises a user terminal of a user and a server device, wherein one or more computer processors included in the information processing system comprise: a display processor that displays a display screen that includes a first screen that displays a character object of the user, and a second screen that selectably displays one or more game media that can be attached to the character object; a receiver that receives, from the user terminal, a selection instruction of at least one game medium from among the one or more game media; and an association portion that consumes a predetermined number of specific game media held by the user based on the selection instruction received by the receiver, and stores the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object.

The one or more computer processors can further comprise a first determination portion that determines whether a number of the specific game media is insufficient; and the association portion can store the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object when the first determination portion determines that the number of the specific game media is not insufficient.

When the user is a distributing user of a video, processing by the receiver, the display processor, and the association portion can be executed while the video is being distributed in a manner viewable by a viewing user of the video.

The display processor can make at least part of the display screen different between the user terminal of the distributing user and a user terminal of the viewing user.

The display processor can determine the one or more game media to be displayed on the second screen according to an attribute of the character object that is displayed on the first screen.

The one or more computer processors can further comprise a change portion that changes the character object displayed on the first screen to another character object of the user according to an operation of the user.

The one or more computer processors can further comprise a second determination portion that determines whether attributes of the character object and the other character object are different in relation to the change process by the change portion; and if the second determination portion determines that the attributes of the character object and another character object are different, the display processor can determine the one or more game media to be displayed on the second screen according to the attribute of the other character object.

When the receiver receives the selection instruction, the display processor can further display, on the display screen, a first object for receiving a display instruction of a third screen that is displayed to enable cancellation of the selection of the game medium related to the selection instruction.

The display processor can display, on the third screen, a list of game media related to the selection instruction in a predetermined order.

When the receiver receives a selection instruction of one or more game media that can be attached to the character object and one or more game media that can be attached to the other character object, the display processor can further (i) display, on the display screen, a first object for receiving a display instruction of a third screen that is displayed to enable cancellation of the selection of the game media related to the selection instruction, and (ii) display, on the third screen, a list of game media related to the selection instruction in a predetermined order for each character object to which the one or more game media are to be attached.

When the receiver receives the display instruction of the third screen from the user terminal via the first object, the display processor can further (i) display the third screen on the display screen and (ii) display a second object on the display screen for sending a decision instruction to consume the predetermined number of specific game media and to store the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object; and in response to the selection of the second object, the association portion can store game media for which the selection has not been canceled in association with the user and the character object.

When the receiver receives the decision instruction from the user terminal via the second object, the display processor can further cause (i) the display screen to display a fourth screen that is displayed to enable cancellation of the selection of the game medium related to the decision instruction and (ii) the display screen to display a third object for executing processing by the association portion; and the association portion can store only game media for which the selection has not been canceled in association with the character object in response to the selection of the third object.

The receiver can further receive selection of at least one attribute from among a plurality of attributes provided for the game medium related to the selection instruction.

When the receiver receives the selection instruction, the display processor can cause the game medium related to the selection instruction to be attached to the character object that is displayed on the first screen, and can display the character object with the attached game medium.

When multiple game media to be attached to one part of the character object are selected, the display processor can switch and display attachment of the multiple game media according to user's movement or operation.

When multiple game media to be attached to one part of the character object are selected, the display processor can divide the one part into a plurality of regions and can attach and display each of the multiple game media related to the selection instruction in a respective one of the regions.

The display processor can display a still image or video related to the character object of the user separately from the character object displayed on the first screen.

The association portion can store the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object with a restriction, based on the selection instruction and a tentative decision instruction received by the receiver.

A consumption amount of the specific game media when the association portion stores the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object with a restriction can be less than a consumption amount of the specific game media when the association portion stores the game media related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object.

The restriction can be directed to a period of the association.

The restriction can be cancelled by consumption of the specific game media by the user or another user.

The one or more computer programs can further comprise a notification portion that displays, on the user terminal, a notification indicating that the number of the specific game media consumed when associating the game medium related to the selection instruction has been reduced, at a predetermined timing after the association is canceled due to the restriction.

The one or more computer processors can further comprise a third determination portion that determines whether multiple game media having a predetermined relationship are included in the game medium related to the selection instruction; and when the third determination portion determines that the multiple game media having the predetermined relationship are included, the association portion can reduce the number of the specific game media consumed when associating the game media related to the selection instruction, and can store the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object.

An information processing method of this disclosure is executed in an information processing system including a user terminal of a user and a server device, wherein: the information processing method causes one or more computer processors included in the information processing system to execute: a display processing step that displays a display screen that includes a first screen that displays a character object of the user, and a second screen that selectably displays one or more game media that can be attached to the character object; a receiving step that receives, from the user terminal, a selection instruction of at least one game medium from among the one or more game media; and an associating step that consumes a predetermined number of specific game media held by the user based on the selection instruction received in the receiving step, and stores the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object.

An information processing method of this disclosure causes an information processing device to execute: a display processing step that displays a display screen that includes a first screen that displays a character object of a user, and a second screen that selectably displays one or more game media that can be attached to the character object; a receiving step that receives a selection instruction of at least one game medium from among the one or more game media; and an associating step that consumes a predetermined number of specific game media held by the user based on the selection instruction received in the receiving step, and stores the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object.

A computer program of this disclosure causes an information processing device to realize: a display processing function that displays a display screen that includes a first screen that displays a character object of a user, and a second screen that selectably displays one or more game media that can be attached to the character object; a receiving function that receives a selection instruction of at least one game medium from among the one or more game media; and an associating function that consumes a predetermined number of specific game media held by the user based on the selection instruction received in the receiving function, and stores the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object.

This disclosure provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least part of the problem of the conventional technology described above. Specifically, according to this disclosure, by reducing the number of steps from a user using a shop to distributing a video, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a computer program can be provided that allow a user to start distributing a video smoothly and the like.

First, an overview of an information processing system according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

The information processing system in this disclosure is an information processing system including one or more client devices and a server device, and includes one or more computer processors.

A video displayed on each client device is described as including an animation of a 3D or 2D character object generated based on movement of a distributing user, but the description is not limited to this, and the video may include an animation of a character object generated in response to an operation by the distributing user, or may include an image of the distributing user himself/herself. Further, the video may also include only the voice of the distributing user, without displaying a character object or the distributing user.

Here, a distributing user means a user who sends information related to video and/or sound. For example, a distributing user can be a user who organizes or hosts a single video distribution, a collaborative distribution in which multiple people can participate, a video or voice chat that multiple people can participate in and/or view, or an event (for example, a party) in a virtual space that multiple people can participate in and/or view, that is, a user who mainly performs these functions. Therefore, the distributing user in this disclosure can also be called a host user, a sponsor user, a hosting user, or the like.

Meanwhile, a viewing user means a user who receives information related to video and/or sound. However, the viewing user can be a user who not only receives the above information, but can also react to it. For example, a viewing user can be a user who views a video distribution, a collaborative distribution, or a user who participates in and/or views a video or voice chat, or an event. Therefore, the viewing user in this disclosure can also be referred to as a guest user, a participating user, a listener, a spectator user, a cheering user, or the like.

The information processing system in an embodiment of this disclosure can be used to provide the next Internet space (metaverse), which is a digital world in which many people can participate simultaneously and freely engage in activities such as interaction, work, and play via character objects (avatars) at a level close to that of the real world. Social activities can be carried out transcending the gap between reality and virtuality. It can be used to provide the next Internet space (metaverse).

In such a space, user avatars can freely walk around the world and communicate with each other.

Additionally, one avatar (character object) among the plurality of avatars in the virtual space may be configured to be able to distribute a video as a character object of a distributing user. That is, one-to-many video distribution can be performed in a many-to-many metaverse virtual space.

In such a space, there may be no particular distinction between a distributing user and a viewing user.

The space displayed in the video may be a virtual space, a real space, or an augmented reality space that is a combination thereof. The video may be a karaoke video or a live game video that plays at least a predetermined image and the voice of the distributing user, or it may be a superimposed display of a character object, or a real image of the distributing user, on these images.

Further, when the distributing user is included in a real space, a character object generated based on movement of the distributing user may be superimposed and displayed on the actual image of the distributing user. Further, an animation such as a gift object may be superimposed and displayed on a captured image of the real space.

<System Configuration>

1 FIG. 1000 1100 1300 1100 1200 As shown as an example in, an information processing systemaccording to this disclosure includes (i) one or more viewing user terminals, and (ii) an information processing device (support computer)arranged in a video distribution studio or the like, which is connected to these viewing user terminalsvia a network.

1300 1300 2400 2 FIG. Further, the information processing devicemay be connected to a predetermined server device via the Internet, and part or all of the processing to be performed by the information processing devicemay be performed by the server device. The server device may be an information processing deviceshown in.

1000 In this specification, distribution by the information processing systemis referred to as studio distribution.

In studio distribution, movement of an entire body of a distributing user (actor) will be reflected in a character in real time by shooting markers attached to the distributing user with a camera(s) installed in the studio and using known motion capture technology.

1000 2000 2000 2100 2200 2400 2100 2200 2300 2 FIG. 2 FIG. Additionally, the information processing systemcan also work in cooperation with another information processing system, shown inas an example. The information processing systemshown incan include (i) a distributing user terminal, (ii) one or more viewing user terminals, and (iii) and an information processing device (server device)that is connected to the distributing user terminaland the viewing user terminalsvia a network.

2100 2000 In the above example, the distributing user terminalcan be an information processing terminal such as a smartphone. In this specification, distribution by such information processing systemis referred to as mobile distribution.

2100 In mobile distribution, the movement of the distributing user's face is captured by a camera provided in the distributing user terminaland reflected on the character's face in real time using known face tracking technology.

There is no particular distinction between a distributing user and a viewing user in mobile distribution. A viewing user can perform mobile distribution at any time, and a distributing user can be a viewing user when viewing a video of another distributing user.

1000 2000 The video generated by the information processing systemand the information processing systemcan be distributed to a viewing user from one video distribution platform, as an example.

Furthermore, in any distribution, the process of generating animation by reflecting motion on a character, the process of displaying a gift described hereafter, and the like may be shared by a distributing user terminal, a viewing user terminal, an information processing device and other devices.

1300 2400 2100 1100 2200 That is, “distribution” here refers to sending information to make the video available for viewing at the viewing user terminal. Video rendering is performed at the information processing devices,side or at the distributing user terminaland viewing user terminalandside.

Specifically, face motion data and sound data of the distributing user is sent from the distributing user terminal or information processing device to a terminal or device that generates (renders) an animation of a character object. Further, body motion may be sent in addition to the face motion.

In this disclosure, the process of generating an animation will be described as being performed by each of the distributing user terminal and the viewing user terminal, but this disclosure is not limited to this.

1 2 FIGS.and 3 FIG. 3000 100 200 400 100 200 300 The information processing system in this disclosure can be applied to any of the examples shown in. Further, an information processing systemin an embodiment of this disclosure is described as being provided with a first user terminal, second user terminals, and a server devicethat can be connected to these distributing first terminaland second user terminalsvia a network, as shown in.

100 200 400 100 200 400 100 200 400 100 200 400 The first user terminaland the second user terminalsare interconnected with the server devicevia, for example, a base station, a mobile communication network, a gateway, and the Internet. Communication is performed between the first user terminaland the second user terminalsand the server devicebased on a communication protocol such as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Additionally, between the first user terminaland the second user terminalsand the server device, communication may be performed based on WebSocket, which initially establishes a connection via HTTP communication and then performs bidirectional communication at a lower cost (less communication load and processing load) than HTTP communication. The communication method between the first user terminaland the second user terminalsand the server deviceis not limited to the method described above, and any communication method technology may be used as long as it can realize this embodiment.

100 1300 1100 2100 2200 200 1300 1100 2100 2200 400 2400 The first user terminalfunctions as at least the information processing device, the viewing user terminal, the distributing user terminal, or the viewing user terminaldescribed above. The second user terminalsfunction as at least the information processing device, the viewing user terminal, the distributing user terminal, or the viewing user terminaldescribed above. The server devicefunctions as at least the server device or information processing devicedescribed above.

100 200 In this disclosure, the first user terminaland the second user terminalsmay each be a smartphone (multi-functional phone terminal), a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a console game machine, a head-mounted display (HMD), a wearable computer such as a spectacle-type wearable terminal (AR glasses or the like), or an information processing device other than these devices that can reproduce a video. Further, these terminals may be stand-alone devices that operate independently, or may be constituted by a plurality of devices that are connected to each other so as to be able to send and receive various data.

<Hardware Configuration>

100 100 101 102 103 104 105 4 FIG. Here, a hardware configuration of the first user terminalwill be described using. The first user terminalincludes a processor, a memory, a storage, an input/output interface (input/output I/F), and a communication interface (communication I/F). Each component is connected to each other via a bus B.

100 101 102 103 104 105 The first user terminalcan realize the functions and methods described in this embodiment by the processor, the memory, the storage, the input/output I/F, and the communication I/Fworking together.

101 103 101 The processorexecutes a function and/or a method realized by a code or a command included in a program stored in the storage. The processormay realize each process disclosed in each embodiment by a logic circuit (hardware) or a dedicated circuit formed in an integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, an LSI (Large Scale Integration)) or the like, including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like. These circuits may be realized by one or more integrated circuits. A plurality of processes shown in each embodiment may be realized by a single integrated circuit. Furthermore, LSI may also be referred to as VLSI, Super LSI, Ultra LSI, or the like, depending on difference in the degree of integration.

102 103 101 101 102 102 The memorytemporarily stores a program loaded from the storageand provides a work area to the processor. Various data generated while the processoris executing the program are also temporarily stored in the memory. The memoryincludes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like.

103 103 The storagestores the program. The storageincludes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, or the like.

105 300 105 300 105 101 105 101 The communication I/Fis implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, software for communication, or a combination thereof, and is used to send and receive various types of data via the network. This communication may be executed by either by wire or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication can be executed. The communication I/Fexecutes communication with another information processing device via the network. The communication I/Fsends various data to other information processing devices according to instructions from the processor. The communication I/Falso receives various data sent from other information processing devices and transmits them to the processor.

104 100 100 104 The input/output I/Fincludes an input device for inputting various operations to the first user terminaland an output device for outputting processing results processed by the first user terminal. The input/output I/Fmay be such that the input device and the output device are integrated, or may be separated into the input device and the output device.

101 The input device is realized by any one of all types of devices that can receive an input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the processor, or a combination thereof. The input device includes, for example, (i) a hardware key, such as a touch panel, a touch display, or a keyboard, (ii) a pointing device, such as a mouse, (iii) a camera (operation input via an image), and (iv) a microphone (operation input by sound).

The input device may include a sensor portion. The sensor portion is one or more sensors that detect (i) face motion, which indicates changes in the user's facial expression, and (ii) body motion, which indicates changes in the relative position of the user's body with respect to the sensor portion. Face motion includes movements such as blinking of the eyes, opening and closing of the mouth, and the like. A known device may be used as the sensor portion. An example of a sensor portion includes (i) a ToF sensor that measures and detects the time of flight (Time of Flight) until light irradiated toward the user is reflected by the user's face and returns, or the like, (ii) a camera that captures the user's face, and (iii) an image processor that image-processes the data captured by the camera. The sensor portion may also include an RGB camera for capturing visible light and a near-infrared camera for capturing near-infrared light. The RGB camera and near-infrared camera may use, for example, “True Depth” of the “iPhone X (registered trademark),” “LiDAR” of the “iPad Pro (registered trademark),” or other ToF sensors in smartphones. This camera specifically projects tens of thousands of invisible dots onto the user's face and the like. Then, accurate face data is captured by detecting and analyzing the reflected light of the dot pattern to form a depth map of the face, and capturing infrared images of the face and the like. An arithmetic processor of the sensor portion generates various types of information based on the depth map and infrared images, and compares this information with registered reference data to calculate the depth (distance between each point and the near-infrared camera) and non-depth positional deviations for each point on the face.

Further, the sensor portion may have a function of tracking not only the user's face, but also the hand(s) (hand tracking). The sensor portion may further include a sensor other than the above-mentioned sensors such as an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor. The sensor portion may have a spatial mapping function of (i) recognizing an object in the real space in which the user exists based on the detection results of the above ToF sensor or other known sensor, and (ii) mapping the recognized object to a spatial map. Hereinafter, when the face motion detection data and the body motion detection data are described with no particular distinction, they are simply referred to as “tracking data.” The image processor of the sensor portion may be provided with a controller that can be provided in the information processing system of this disclosure.

As an operation portion as an input device, a device corresponding to the type of the user terminal can be used. An example of the operation portion is a touch panel integrated with a display, an operation button provided on a housing of a user terminal, a keyboard, a mouse, a controller operated by a user, and the like. The controller may incorporate various known sensors such as an inertial measurement sensor (IMU: Inertial Measurement Unit) such as an acceleration sensor and a gyro. Furthermore, another example of the operation portion may be a tracking device that specifies the movement of the user's hand, the movement of the eyes, the movement of the head, the direction of the line of sight, and the like. In this embodiment, for example, based on the user's hand movements, the user's instructions are determined and various operations are performed such as starting or ending the video distribution, rating messages and videos, and requesting the display of predetermined objects (for example, the gift described hereafter), and the like. If the sensor portion also has an input interface function such as a hand tracking function, the operation portion can be omitted.

101 The output device outputs the processing result processed by the processor. The output device includes, for example, a touch panel, a speaker, and the like.

The functions realized by the components described in this specification may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry programmed to realize the functions described, including general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and/or combinations thereof. Processors include transistors and other circuits, and are referred to as circuitry or processing circuitry. The processors may be programmed processors that execute programs stored in memory.

In this specification, circuitry, units, and means are hardware that is programmed, or hardware that performs, so as to realize the functions described. Such hardware may be any hardware disclosed in this specification or any hardware known to be programmed or to perform so as to realize the functions described herein.

When the hardware is a processor considered to be of the circuitry type, the circuitry, means or units are a combination of (i) hardware and (ii) software used to constitute a processor and/or the hardware.

200 400 4 FIG. Also, except for special cases, a second user terminaland server devicein this disclosure can be configured with the same hardware configuration as in.

Next, various functions that can be executed in a user terminal that starts an application realized by an information processing system according to the embodiment of this disclosure, and transitions of screens that are displayed, will be described with reference to the drawings.

5 FIG. 10 shows a top screen Tdisplayed on a user terminal (here, it is not yet specified whether or not the user will view or distribute) when a video distribution/viewing application is started.

5 FIG. 12 11 10 As shown in, by selecting one distribution channel (called a distribution frame, distribution program, distribution video or the like) from among thumbnail images of one or more recommended distribution channels Tdisplayed in a recommendation tab Ton the top screen T, the user can view a video played on that distribution channel.

Alternatively, by accessing a fixed link for a specific distribution channel, the user can view a video played on that specific distribution channel. Such fixed links may come from a notification from a first user who is followed, or from a share notification sent by another user.

200 Here, the user who views the video is the viewing user, and the terminal for viewing the video is the second user terminal.

5 FIG. 13 10 13 Further, as shown in, a display field Tfor notification of a campaign, an event, or the like may be displayed on the top screen T. The display field Tof this notification can be switched to another notification by a slide operation.

10 14 15 16 17 10 Additionally, from the top screen T, a follow tab T, a game tab Tfor displaying a game category, an awaiting collaboration tab Tfor displaying a distribution channel that is awaiting collaboration, and a beginner tab Tfor displaying a beginner's distribution channel are displayed. By selecting these (by switching the tabs), the top screen Ttransitions to respective different screens.

18 19 10 A service name display Tand a search button Tin an upper frame of the top screen Tmay be fixedly displayed on a transition destination screen.

20 21 22 23 24 10 Similarly, a home button T, a message button T, a distribution preparation button T, a gacha button T, and a profile button Tin a lower frame of the top screen Tmay be fixedly displayed on the transition destination screen.

12 10 22 5 FIG. A user who selects displayed thumbnail images Ton the top screen Tor the like shown inbecomes a viewing user (second user) who views the video as described above, and a user who selects the distribution preparation button Tcan become a distributing user (first user) who distributes a video.

22 10 10 11 10 20 25 20 30 5 FIG. 6 FIG. 7 FIG. 8 FIG. As an example, when the distribution preparation button Tis selected on the top screen Tshown in, the screen transitions to an avatar setting screen Dshown in. Then, when a distribution button Dis selected on the avatar setting screen D, the screen transitions to a distribution setting screen Dshown in. Then, when a distribution start button Dis selected on the distribution setting screen D, the screen transitions to an avatar distribution screen Dshown in.

Next, details of a flow up to the start of video distribution will be described.

The one or more computer processors in this disclosure may include a distribution start request receiver, a distribution setting portion, and a distribution start portion.

The distribution start request receiver receives a distribution start request for a first video including an animation of a character object from the first user terminal of the first user.

Here, the first video refers to a video including an animation of a character object. In this specification, the character object may be referred to as an “avatar.”

400 11 The above-described distribution start request can be sent from the user terminal to the information processing deviceby selecting the distribution button Dlocated on the avatar setting screen or the like that has transitioned from the top screen displayed on the user terminal (later to become the first user terminal) that started a dedicated application (video distribution/viewing application) for accessing the above-described video distribution platform.

6 FIG. 10 11 12 13 14 10 shows an example of the avatar setting screen D. A character object CO, the distribution button D, a gacha button D, a clothes-changing button D, a photo button D, and the like can be displayed on the avatar setting screen D.

13 When the clothes-changing button Dis selected by the user, a closet screen for selecting various avatar parts such as eyes, nose, mouth, hair, accessories, clothes, and background of the character object CO appears.

12 When the gacha button Dis selected by the user, a lottery screen for obtaining the above-described avatar parts appears.

14 When the photo button Dis selected by the user, a capturing screen for capturing a still image of the character object appears.

11 400 When the distribution button Dis selected by the user, a distribution start request is sent to the information processing device.

100 The distribution setting portion sets the distribution setting of the first video based on the designation from the first user terminalin response to the distribution start request of the first video received by the distribution start request receiver.

11 100 10 20 6 FIG. 7 FIG. As an example, when the distribution button Dis selected, the screen displayed on the first user terminaltransitions from the avatar setting screen Dshown into the distribution setting screen Dshown in.

The distribution setting can include at least one of a setting related to the title of the first video, a setting regarding whether other users can appear in the first video, a setting related to the number of people who can appear in the first video, or a setting related to a password.

21 22 23 24 26 27 7 FIG. 7 FIG. These distribution settings can be set in a title setting field D, a collaboration possibility setting field D, a number-of-people setting field D, and a password setting field Din, respectively. Additionally, in, an anyone-can-collaborate possibility setting field Dand an SNS posting possibility field Dare further displayed.

The title of the first video can be freely determined by the distributing user within a range of a number of characters up to an allowable upper limit. If there is no input by the distributing user, a preset title, including the name of the character object (distributing user) such as “This is so and so's distribution P,” may be determined automatically.

Whether other users can make a request for appearance in the first video can be freely determined by the first user. If yes, other users can make a request for appearance to the distributing user. If no, other users cannot make a request for appearance to the distributing user. A state in which another user appears in the video of the first user may be referred to as “collaboration” in this specification. Details of the collaboration will be described later.

The number of people who can appear in the first video can be set only when other users can appear in the first video mentioned above, and the distributing user can freely determine this number within a range of the number of people up to an allowable upper limit.

24 26 A password can be arbitrarily set only when other users can appear in the first video mentioned above, and the distributing user can freely determine the designated number of digits. When another user makes a request for appearance in the first video, entering of such a password is required. A configuration is acceptable in which the password setting field Dmay become active only when the anyone-can-collaborate possibility setting field Dis OFF.

200 The distribution start portion distributes information about the first video to the viewing user terminal(s)of the viewing user(s) based on the conditions set by the distribution setting portion.

25 7 FIG. The instruction to start such distribution is sent by selecting the distribution start button Dshown in.

200 As an example, the distribution start portion distributes information about the video (first video) including the animation of the character object of the first user to the second user terminalof the second user (avatar distribution).

Information about the first video includes, for example, motion information indicating movement of the character object, sound information of the first user, and gift object information indicating a gift sent from another viewing user. The gift object information includes at least gift object identification information that specifies the type of the gift object and position information that indicates the position where the gift object is to be displayed.

Then, the distribution start portion can live-distribute the video via the video distribution platform described above.

8 FIG. 30 100 shows the avatar distribution screen Ddisplayed on the first user terminal.

30 31 32 33 34 12 In addition to displaying the character object CO on the avatar distribution screen D, a comment input button Dfor the distributing user to input a comment, a photo button Dfor saving a still image of the screen, a play start button Dfor playing a game described later, an external service liaison button Dfor viewing a video provided by an external service, and the gacha button Dfor obtaining an avatar part can be displayed.

35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Additionally, a cumulative number-of-viewers display D, a cumulative number-of-likes display D, a number-of-collaborators display D, a share button Dfor an external SNS, a guest details button D, a ranking display button D, a setting button D, and a sound switching button Dfor switching sound ON/OF can be displayed. Further, an end button Dfor ending the distribution is also displayed.

20 41 Although detailed description of these displays and buttons is omitted, it is possible to change the distribution settings set on the distribution setting screen Dby selecting the setting button D.

8 FIG. 20 shows an example of starting distribution in which the distribution setting screen Dallows other users to appear in the first video, and the number of people who can appear in the first video is three. Therefore, the character object CO is displayed in a state of being closer to the lower left. This is a state in which up to three character objects of other users are able to appear in a vacant space.

The above is a description of the screen transition when the avatar distribution of this disclosure is performed.

Subsequently, a screen transition when the distributing user plays a game during distribution will be described.

The one or more computer processors in this disclosure may include a game request receiver, a game video distribution portion, and a game display processor.

33 8 FIG. The distributing user can request to start playing a game by selecting the play start button Dduring avatar distribution such as is shown in.

33 The game displayed by selecting the play start button Dcan be a dedicated game implemented in the application realized by the information processing system in this disclosure, and can be different from a general-purpose game provided by an external service. Therefore, the game distribution in this disclosure may be distinguished from the distribution of a general-purpose game play video provided by an external service together with a live broadcast of the distributing user.

100 400 100 Alternatively, the play start request may be sent from the first user terminalto the information processing deviceby selecting the play start button arranged on a predetermined screen displayed on the first user terminalof the first user.

9 FIG. 9 FIG. 5 FIG. 10 11 10 10 15 shows an example of a screen G, in which a play start button Gis arranged, as the predetermined screen. The screen Gshown inis a screen that has transitioned from the top screen T() displayed on a user terminal that has started the application realized by the information processing system in this disclosure by selecting the game tab T.

11 10 At least the play start button Gthat can send a request to start play of a predetermined game is displayed on the screen G.

200 Then, when the game request receiver receives the request to start play of the predetermined game, the game video distribution portion distributes information about a second video to the second user terminal.

200 Here, the second video is a play video of a predetermined game. In this specification, distributing a video so that it is displayed on the screen of the second user terminalis called “game distribution.”

2400 Further, as a first user, after starting the application realized by this disclosure, the user can send the request for the start of distribution of the second video to the information processing deviceby selecting a play start object arranged on the game list screen and the game detail screen.

The game list screen or the game details screen is a first screen to be described in detail below.

That is, the game display processor performs display processing of the first screen including (i) a distribution start object that can send a distribution start request, (ii) a play start object that can send a play start request for a predetermined game, and (iii) a thumbnail image of a video that is distributing a play video for a predetermined game.

10 10 15 9 FIG. The screen Gshown incorresponds to the game list screen of the first screen. The first screen, which is the game list screen, is a screen that has transitioned from the top screen Tby selection of the game tab T.

22 11 The first screen includes (i) the distribution preparation button Tas a distribution start object, (ii) the play start button Gas a play start object, and (iii) a thumbnail image showing a distribution channel of a video.

11 12 13 14 15 On the first screen, for each of a plurality of playable games, the play start button G, a game icon G, a game name G, a total number-of-viewers Gof the distribution channel of the game, and a distribution list Gincluding thumbnail images of the distribution channels during the game distribution are displayed.

15 15 The order of the thumbnail images displayed in the distribution list Gdisplayed here may be different depending on the viewing user. As an example, the thumbnail images are arranged in the order of (i) the order in which the number of viewing users following and the number of views by those viewing users are highest, (ii) the order in which the cumulative number of viewers is highest, and (iii) the order in which the distribution start is oldest. Additionally, the display range of the thumbnail images of the distribution list Gcan be changed by horizontal scrolling.

Additionally, the games displayed on this game list screen will read the top 10 titles with the following priorities. As an example, the priority is determined by (i) the order by newest date within 48 hours from the game distribution start date and time, and in which a viewing user last played within 30 days, (ii) the order of highest priority of a period ID, and (iii) the descending order of the period ID.

15 This distribution list Gwill be updated (i) when returning from the screen of another tab and (ii) when a refresh operation (Pull-to-Refresh) has been performed.

10 FIG. 9 FIG. 12 13 20 corresponds to a game detail screen of the first screen. The first screen, which is the game detail screen, is a screen that has been transitioned to by selecting a game icon Gor a game name Gdisplayed on the game list screen shown in, and is G.

22 21 The first screen includes the distribution preparation button Twhich is a distribution start object, a play start button Gwhich is a play start object, and thumbnail images showing video distribution channels.

22 23 24 25 Further, on the first screen, a game icon G, a game name G, a total number-of-viewers Gof the distribution channel of the game, and a distribution list Gincluding thumbnail images of the distribution channels that are distributing the game are displayed.

25 25 The order of the thumbnail images displayed in the distribution list Gdisplayed here may be different depending on the viewing user. As an example, the order is arranged in the order of (i) the order in which the number of viewing users following and the number of views by the viewing users is highest, (ii) the order in which the cumulative number of viewers is highest, and (iii) the order in which the distribution start is oldest. Additionally, the display range of the thumbnail images of the distribution list Gcan be changed by vertical scrolling.

25 This distribution list Gwill be updated (i) when returning from the screen of another tab and (ii) when a refresh operation (Pull-to-Refresh) has been performed.

As described above, a user who selects the distribution start object or the play start object becomes a first user who makes the distribution start request or the play start request.

Further, a user who selects a thumbnail image becomes a second user who views the second video.

In addition, the first screen includes a first region in which a scrolling operation is not possible, and a second region in which a scrolling operation is possible.

10 FIG. 1 2 1 21 22 23 24 25 2 The first screen referred to here is the first screen shown in. The first screen includes a first region Rand a second region R. Specifically, the game title is displayed in the first region R, and the play start button G, the game icon G, the game name G, the number of viewers G, and the distribution list Gdescribed above are displayed in the second region R.

1 2 2 The first region Ris a portion in which a scrolling operation is not possible, and is fixedly displayed on the display screen, and the second region Ris a portion in which a scrolling operation by the user is possible. By scrolling the second region R, the user can check the thumbnail images hidden outside the screen.

21 21 1 21 2 However, since the play start button Gmay be hidden outside the screen by scrolling in the second region, the display processor in this disclosure can display a play start object (play start button G) in the first region Raccording to a display state of a play start object (play start button G) displayed in the second region R.

10 FIG. 11 FIG. 21 2 1 21 2 21 As an example, in, the play start button Gis displayed in the second region R, but in, it is displayed in the first region R. That is, when part or all of the play start button Gis not displayed in the second region R, the play start button Gappears in the first region.

1 2 Further, the game display processor may display the play start object in the first region Rin stages according to the display state of the play start object displayed in the second region R.

2 Such an expression can be realized by changing the transparency of the play start object according to the scroll amount of the second region R.

As an example, a scroll amount (unit is pixels) of 0 to 50 is caused to correspond to a button transparency of 0.0 (completely transparent) to 1.0 (completely opaque). Thus, in the initial display state, the object is completely transparent and cannot be seen, and when scrolling by 50 pixels or more has been performed, the object is completely displayed. During that scrolling (0 to 50), it is preferable to change the transparency of the object linearly. The unit of the scroll amount is a logical pixel, which may be different from an actual pixel of the display.

100 Further, the game request receiver can accept a play end request for a predetermined game from the first user terminalafter the game video distribution portion distributes information about the second video.

The play end request can be sent by selection of an end button arranged on the game screen.

Then, when the game request receiver receives the play end request of the predetermined game, the video distribution portion can end the distribution of the information about the second video and distribute the information about the first video.

That is, what is distributed here is not part of the information of the first video, but all the information of the first video.

200 Then, when the video distribution portion ends the distribution of the information about the second video and distributes the information about the first video, what is displayed on the second user terminalis the first video.

The following is an explanation of a flow to start viewing the video.

The one or more processors in this disclosure may further include a viewing receiver.

The viewing receiver receives a video viewing request from a user.

The video distribution portion distributes video and sound information as video information to the user's information processing terminal in response to the viewing request.

12 FIG. 10 200 is an example showing a viewing screen Vof an avatar video displayed on the second user terminal.

11 12 The viewing user can post a comment by inputting text in a comment posting field Vand pressing a send button V.

13 30 13 FIG. Further, by pressing a gift button V, a gift list (screen Vin) is displayed to the viewing user, and a display request for a gift designated by selection can be sent.

200 At this time, the one or more processors in this disclosure may include a determination portion. The determination portion determines whether there is a gift display request from the second user terminal.

The display request can include gift object information. The gift object information includes at least (i) gift object identification information that specifies the type of the gift object and (ii) position information that indicates the position where the gift object is to be displayed.

13 FIG. Further, as shown in, gifts can be displayed separately for each category (free (paid) gifts, accessories, cheering goods, appeal, variety, or the like).

Here, a paid gift is a gift (coin gift) that can be purchased by the consumption of “My Coin” purchased by the viewing user. A free gift is a gift (point gift) that can be obtained with or without consumption of “My Points,” which the viewing user has obtained for free.

The term “gift” used in this application means the same concept as the term “token.” Therefore, it is also possible to replace the term “gift” with the term “token” to understand the technology described in this application.

14 14 Furthermore, the viewing user can post a rating showing favor by pressing a like button V. In addition to/in place of the like button V, it is also possible to display a button for posting a negative rating or other emotions.

An object may be displayed in the video in response to such evaluation posting. For example, when someone posts a positive review, an object can be displayed representing a heart or thumbs-up symbol.

15 In addition, when the first user has enabled other users' appearances in the distribution settings, a user can send a request to appear in the video by selecting a collaboration request button V.

16 In addition, a follow button Vfor a second user to follow a distributing user is displayed on the screen of a video distributed by a first user whom the second user has not yet followed. This follow button functions as an unfollow button on the screen of a video distributed by a first user whom a second user is already following.

This “follow” may be performed from a second user to another second user, from a first user to a second user, and from a first user to another first user. However, this “follow” is managed as a one-way association, and a reverse association is managed separately as a “follower.”

25 Additionally, a photo button Vfor saving a still image of the screen can also be displayed.

17 18 19 10 Further, a cheering ranking display button V, a share button V, and a ranking display button Vare also displayed on the viewing screen V.

The cheering ranking displays the ranking of a second user who cheers a first user, and the ranking can be calculated according to the amount of gifts (points/coins) or the like.

18 Additionally, regarding the sharing of videos, by pressing the share button V, the second user can check a list of SNS (Social Networking Services) that can be shared, and can send a fixed link to a designated location of the SNS designated by selection.

15 Furthermore, by pressing the collaboration request button V, it is possible to request collaborative distribution from a first user. Collaborative distribution means that the character object of a second user is caused to appear in a distributed video of the first user.

10 21 22 23 24 At the top of the viewing screen V, a distributing user icon V, a distributing user name (character object name) V, a cumulative number-of-viewers display V, and a cumulative number-of-likes display Vcan be displayed.

20 Further, when the viewing end button Vis selected, a screen for ending viewing appears, and a viewing end request can be sent.

The screen for ending such viewing will be described in detail. Such a screen is called “small window sound distribution,” and is for viewing a video in a manner of playing only the sound without displaying the image of the video.

20 The selection of the viewing end button Vis received by the viewing receiver as a video viewing end request.

At this time, the video distribution portion ends the distribution of the image-related information in response to the viewing end request, but does not end the distribution of the sound-related information.

Thus, when the image- and sound-related information are distributed at the user terminal, the image is displayed on the main screen at the user terminal, and when only the sound information is distributed, the image is not displayed at the user terminal and a sub screen indicating that the video is being viewed is displayed.

14 FIG. 50 51 shows an image of a screen Von which a sub screen Vis displayed.

51 When this sub screen Vis displayed, the main screen displayed at the back transitions to the screen before viewing the video. For example, when moving from a recommendation tab to the viewing frame, the display returns to the recommendation tab, and when moving from the follow tab to the viewing frame, the display transitions to the follow tab.

51 When this sub screen Vis being displayed, operation on the main screen becomes possible, and transition to another screen becomes possible.

51 On the sub screen V, a profile image, a name, a title, and a sound icon that can visually identify that sound is playing are displayed.

52 51 Then, by selecting an end icon Vdisplayed on the sub screen V, the viewing can be completely ended.

Regarding the end of the display of the image, the information may be sent from the server device, but not displayed at the terminal side, or the transmission of the information itself from the server device may be stopped.

With such a configuration, it becomes possible to search for other distributions and enjoy chatting with other users while listening only to sound.

Next, a “collaboration” in which another user appears in the video of the first user will be described.

15 12 FIG. As described above, a second user can send a request to participate in the video via the confirmation screen of the collaborative distribution participation request, which is displayed by pressing the collaboration request button Vshown in.

A collaboration avatar display portion provided to one or more computer processors in this disclosure causes a character object generated based on the movement of the viewing user who made the participation request to be displayed in the video, in response to the received participation request.

15 FIG. 15 FIG. 4 3 shows, as an example, a viewing or distribution screen when a second avatar CO, which is a character object of a guest user, participates in a video in which a first avatar CO, which is the character object of the host user, is displayed. In, the display of objects other than the avatars is omitted.

16 FIG. 16 FIG. 1 1 3 4 Further, as shown in, a third avatar CO, which is a character object generated based on the movement of another viewing user, may participate in the video. Additionally, although the third avatar COis arranged behind the first avatar COand the avatar COin, the three people may be arranged so as to line up in a horizontal row. Further, the arrangement position of the avatars may be designated by the distributing user.

17 FIG. 5 FIG. 30 shows a list screen Tof users having a mutual follow relationship, which is displayed by selection of the follow tab on the top screen shown in. Mutual follow is a relationship in which each is a follower of the other.

30 On the list screen T, profile images and names of users who have a mutual follow relationship are displayed.

17 FIG. 31 30 32 31 As shown in, a first object Tis displayed on the list screen Tfor each of the users having a mutual follow relationship. Further, a chat object Tmay be displayed together with the first object T. By selecting this chat object, it is possible to transition to an individual chat screen with a second user.

31 31 The first object Tsends a predetermined notification to the terminal of the user associated with the first object T.

The predetermined notification may be, for example, a call notification.

Nest, a detailed description of a flow for executing a video chat in an embodiment of this disclosure will be explained.

As an example, a user can execute a video chat from an individual chat screen or a group chat screen.

10 21 10 18 FIG. 5 FIG. These chat screens can be transitioned to, for example, from a chat list screen C() expanded by selecting the message button Ton the top screen T().

10 18 FIG. The chat list screen Cshown indisplays icons of users (character objects) or icons of groups that have sent or received messages (chats) in the past, along with their names or titles. The icons of groups can include icons of users (character objects) participating in the groups.

10 20 21 19 FIG. The user can then select one user or group on the above-described chat list screen C, open an individual chat screen C() or a group chat screen, and select a video chat button Cto start a video chat.

12 13 11 10 10 20 FIG. Additionally, by selecting a chat creation button Cor a group creation button Cdisplayed by selecting an edit button Con the chat list screen C(), a chat screen of a user or group not displayed on the chat list screen Ccan be created.

21 FIG. 19 FIG. 30 12 31 20 21 is a user selection screen Cthat deploys when the chat creation button Cis selected, and a chat screen with a recommended user(s) that is being displayed or a user searched for using a search field Cis displayed/generated. A configuration of the generated chat screen is the same as the chat screen Cshown in, and video chatting can be started by selecting the video chat button C.

22 FIG. 40 13 41 Similarly,shows a group creation screen Cthat deploys when the group creation button Cis selected. The user can add users other than himself/herself as group members by selecting a user addition button C. As an example, the number of group members that can be added is up to 7. A group name can also be set on this screen.

50 50 51 23 FIG. Once a group is created, a group chat screen Cis displayed (). In the group chat screen Cas well, video chatting can be started by selecting a video chat button C.

20 32 30 17 FIG. Furthermore, the above-described chat screen Ccan be transitioned to from the chat icon Tof the follow list screen T().

Also, a chat icon can also be arranged on a profile screen of another user, and the user can transition from various pages to a chat screen, and start a video chat.

When a video chat is started, a notification is sent to the other party, and the other party can participate in the video chat by responding to the notification. Users can set whether or not to receive such notifications.

Furthermore, the system may be configured to allow video chatting only with users who are in a mutual follow relationship. In this case, the system may be configured to display an icon on the follow list screen indicating that a user in a mutual follow relationship is in a video chat with another user, and a user may select the icon to participate in such an ongoing video chat.

The video chat in this disclosure can be said to be a function that allows only a specific user to view the collaborative distribution described above. The specific user here refers to a user participating in a video chat.

24 FIG. Next, an image of the spread of the virtual space in this disclosure will be described with reference to.

24 FIG. As shown inas an example, the virtual space in this embodiment is arranged such that a disk-shaped island (world) is floating in the air. This island is an object in the form of a tower-shaped cake turned upside down, and can be configured such that various objects are arranged on a disk-shaped ground. The island and the ground are shown as an example, and the display mode thereof is not particularly limited.

1 1 400 The objects that can be displayed include at least the character object CO of a first user, a gift object Gcorresponding to a gift for which a display request was made by a second user, and an object S, the display position and display timing of which are controlled by the server device(system side).

The character object can be caused to move, jump, and the like within the world by the user's operation, and such functions can be provided as one of the games described above, for example. In this disclosure, this is specifically referred to as “world distribution” and the procedures for starting and ending game distribution described above apply.

33 11 21 33 8 FIG. 9 FIG. 10 FIG. Specifically, switching from normal distribution (avatar distribution) to world distribution can be performed by selecting the play start button Dof a game displayed in the avatar distribution video () or by selecting the play button Gor Gof one game selected from the game list displayed on the destination screen to which the user has moved by selecting the play start button D(,).

Also, switching from world distribution to avatar distribution can be performed by selecting a play end button displayed in a world distribution video.

3000 Next, various functions executable in the information processing systemaccording to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

3000 The information processing systemaccording to an embodiment of this disclosure can be, for example, an information processing system that provides a virtual space in which the character object of the user can be displayed.

The virtual space is not particularly limited as long as the space is one that can display the user's character object.

3000 100 100 400 Furthermore, the information processing systemaccording to the embodiment of this disclosure includes a user terminal(first user terminal) of a user and a server device.

3000 410 420 430 25 FIG. One or more computer processors included in the information processing systeminclude a display processor, a receiver, and an association portion, as shown inas an example.

410 The display processordisplays a display screen including a first screen that displays a character object of a user and a second screen that selectably displays one or more game media that can be attached to the character object.

Before explaining the details of this display screen, a flow up to the transition to the display screen will be explained.

26 FIG. 5 FIG. 26 10 100 3000 23 As shown inas an example, a shop button Tis displayed on a top screen Tdisplayed on the user terminalwhen an application realized by the information processing systemis started. This is an expansion of the function of the gacha button Tdisplayed in.

26 27 FIG. Then, when the shop button Tis selected by a user, the screen transitions to the screen shown as an example in.

27 FIG. 3 4 4 The screen shown indisplays a shop column Rin which some of the game media that the user can purchase at a shop are selectably displayed, and a gacha column Rin which gachas that can be executed by a user are selectably displayed. When a gacha displayed in the gacha column Ris selected, the screen will transition to a lottery screen for obtaining the above-mentioned avatar parts.

Furthermore, the game media that the user can purchase at a shop can also include the above-mentioned avatar parts.

27 FIG. 27 FIG. Additionally, the screen shown indisplays specific game media associated with (e.g., held by) the user. The specific game media include coins, points, tickets, and the like. In the example shown in, the number of coins and gacha tickets held is displayed.

27 3 3 10 28 FIG. Then, when the user selects object Tin the shop column R, or when the user selects an item displayed in the shop column R, the screen transitions to a display screen Sshown as an example in.

27 3 10 When the user selects the object Tin the shop column R, the user's character object CO displayed on the display screen Sis displayed in a state of having attached thereto a game medium (or media) that has already been associated with the user and the character object CO.

3 10 On the other hand, if the user selects one game medium displayed in the shop column R, the user's character object CO displayed on the display screen Sis displayed in a state of having attached thereto the selected game medium. At this time, if there is already a game medium attached in a place to which the selected game medium should be attached, the association of the already attached game medium with the character object CO is canceled, and the selected game medium is newly associated and displayed. At this time, the selected game medium may not yet be associated with the user.

10 5 6 28 FIG. The display screen Sshown inincludes a first screen Rthat displays the user's character object CO, and a second screen Rthat selectably displays one or more game media that can be attached to the character object CO.

10 28 FIG. Furthermore, a specific game medium associated with the user is displayed on the display screen S. In an example shown in, the number of coins held is displayed.

6 On the second screen R, one or more game media that can be attached to the character object CO can be displayed along with the number of specific game media required for purchase.

6 Additionally, among the game media displayed on the second screen R, the game media that are the same as the game media already associated with the user are displayed in a different manner so that they can be distinguished from the game media not yet associated with the user.

6 6 28 FIG. For example, among the game media displayed on the second screen R, the same game media as the game media already associated with the user can be made unselectable or non-displayed, or the number of specific game media required to purchase the game media can be made non-displayed. In the shown in, among the game media displayed on the second screen R, the number of specific game media required to purchase the same game media as the game media already associated with the user is non-displayed, and instead a checkmark is attached indicating that it is already associated with the user.

6 6 28 FIG. The game media displayed on the second screen Rcan be classified and displayed by category. In the example shown in, buttons for switching the display of game media by category are displayed at the bottom of the second screen R.

420 100 The receiverreceives a selection instruction of at least one game medium from among the one or more game media from the user terminal.

10 A selection instruction is given by the user selecting (for example, tapping or the like) a game medium displayed on the display screen S.

If multiple game media to be attached to one part of a character object are selected, an alert or the like can be output to the effect that a second game medium cannot be attached. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which multiple game media to be attached to one part of the character object cannot be selected. Specifically, a configuration can be adopted such that the second game medium can be made unselectable, or if the second game medium is selected, selection of a first game medium can be canceled and selection of the second game medium can be applied.

430 420 The association portionconsumes a predetermined number of specific game media associated with the user based on the selection instruction received by the receiver, and stores the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object.

Here, storing the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user means that the user owns the game medium, and storing the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the character object means that the character object has the game medium attached thereto.

Additionally, the storage associated with the user of the game medium related to the selection instruction may be made permanent, and the storage associated with the character object of the game medium related to the selection instruction may be made temporary. As described hereafter, game media can be temporarily stored (tried on) in association with a character object before being associated with a user, and in this case, once the purchase of a game medium has been completed, it can be permanently associated with the user and stored (owned) while maintaining its association with the character object. At this time, the game medium that remains associated with the character object is not in a tried-on state but is in a properly attached state.

5 The character object associated with the game medium related to the selection instruction may be displayed on the first screen R, or may be displayed on a purchase completion screen that is a separate screen.

Furthermore, as described hereafter, other steps are not excluded from occurring between the selection instruction and the consumption (purchase completion) of the specific game medium.

For example, after providing a selection instruction and before consuming a specific game medium, it is possible to include a step of displaying a list of the selected game media, a step of performing confirmation before purchase, and the like.

The above-described configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least part of the problem of the conventional technology described above.

Specifically, by storing a purchased game medium in association with not only a user but also a character object, the steps from the user using a shop to distributing a video can be reduced, allowing for smooth starting of the video distribution and the like.

By suppressing delays in the start of distribution, and by suppressing shortening of distribution time due to a decline in users' desire to distribute, it is possible to maintain or improve the quality of video content.

430 420 As an alternative, the association portionmay consume a predetermined number of specific game media associated with the user based on the selection instruction received by the receiver, and store the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with only the user.

If the game medium related to the selection instruction is stored in association with the user, but the game medium related to the selection instruction is not stored in association with the character object, this is a condition in which the purchased game medium is not attached to the character object.

In this case, the above-mentioned problem can be solved by combining with various configurations described hereafter.

Next, steps will be explained that can be added between the above-mentioned selection instruction and the consumption of a specific game medium.

420 410 When the receiverreceives a selection instruction, the display processorcan further display, on the display screen, a first object for receiving a display instruction of a third screen that is displayed to enable cancellation of the selection of the game medium related to the selection instruction.

28 FIG. 29 FIG. 10 10 is an example showing the display screen Sin a state in which the user has not yet selected a game medium, andis an example showing the display screen Sin a state in which the user is selecting three game media.

29 FIG. 29 FIG. In, the game media related to the selection instructions can be displayed in a different manner so that they can be distinguished from unselected game media. In the example shown in, the game media related to the selection instructions are displayed surrounded by a frame, but it is not limited to this format.

10 11 10 29 FIG. 28 FIG. Then, on the display screen Sshown in, a first object Sis displayed to be selectable. The first object may also be displayed on the display screen Sshown in, but in that case, the first object will be displayed in an unselectable state.

29 FIG. 11 Furthermore, as shown in, the number of game media related to the selection instructions can also be displayed in the first object S.

11 Then, when the first object Sis selected by the user, a display instruction of the third screen is provided.

30 FIG. 20 20 10 6 10 6 shows an example of such third screen S. The third screen Smay be displayed instead of the display screen Sor the second screen R, or it may be displayed superimposed on the display screen Sor the second screen R.

30 FIG. 20 20 As shown in, the third screen Sis displayed to enable cancellation of the selection of the game medium related to the selection instructions. On the third screen S, selection cancellation buttons for cancellation of selections are displayed in association with the game media related to the selection instructions.

30 FIG. 30 FIG. 31 FIG. 32 FIG. 21 22 23 21 22 23 22 21 22 23 In the example shown in, three selection cancellation buttons S, S, and Sare displayed in association with each object representing the game media related to the three selection instructions. In the example shown in, the three selection cancellation buttons S, S, and Sare in a selected state, whereas in the example shown in, only the second selection cancellation button Sis in a canceled state. In the example shown in, all three selection cancellation buttons S, S, and Sare in a canceled state.

The user can switch between the selected state and the canceled state by selecting (tapping or the like) the selection cancellation buttons.

5 Furthermore, as described hereafter, the character object displayed on the first screen Ris displayed with a game medium related to a selection instruction attached, but the association/cancellation of the association with the game medium by switching between the selected state and the canceled state can be immediately reflected. In addition, if the association of a game medium that was attached is canceled, the character object is returned to a state in which it is associated with a game medium that is associated with (owned by) the user among the game media that were associated with it before the canceled game medium was associated with it.

Although not shown in the drawings, it is also possible to arrange a button that allows the user to select/cancel all game media at once. In this case, the user's operational effort is reduced.

410 20 Then, the display processorcan display, on the third screen S, a list of game media related to the selection instructions in a predetermined order.

The predetermined order is, for example, the order of selection (the most recent item is on top), the order of body parts (from the head to the feet), the order of rarity, the order of the number of required specific game media, or the like, or the reverse order of these.

420 20 100 11 410 20 10 410 24 Furthermore, when the receiverreceives a display instruction of the third screen Sfrom the user terminalvia the first object S, the display processorcan further display the third screen Son the display screen S. At the same time, the display processorcan display, on the display screen, a second object Sfor sending a decision instruction to consume a predetermined number of specific game media and store the game media related to the selection instruction(s) in association with the user and character object.

30 32 FIGS.- 24 As shown as an example in, the total number of specific game media required for purchase can also be displayed in association with the second object S.

32 FIG. 24 Furthermore, if all selections have been canceled as shown in, the second object Scan be made unselectable or non-displayed.

24 430 Then, in response to the selection of the second object S, the association portionstores the game media for which the selection has not been cancelled, in association with the user and the character object.

33 FIG. 7 FIG. 6 FIG. 30 20 30 10 Thereafter, as shown in, a purchase completion screen Scan be displayed. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the transition is made to the distribution setting screen D() instead of the purchase completion screen S. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the screen transitions to the avatar setting screen D() or a closet screen.

According to this configuration, it becomes possible to start distribution more smoothly after purchasing the game media.

29 FIG. 420 410 5 Furthermore, as shown in, when the receiverreceives a selection instruction, the display processorcan attach the game medium related to the selection instruction to the character object that is displayed on the first screen R, and display the character object with the attached game medium.

29 FIG. 6 5 In the example shown in, objects of a pointed hat, a flower-blossom wallpaper, and a bandage are selected on the second screen R, so the character object CO shown on the first screen Ris also displayed with these objects attached. Also, the wallpaper can be set as a background.

6 Thus, when a game medium is selected on the second screen R, the character object CO tries on the game medium. At this time, the game medium related to the selection instruction (the game medium being tried on) is associated with the character object CO, but is not associated with the user.

According to this configuration, it is possible to try on game media before purchasing, and it is possible to suppress dissatisfaction due to differences in perception towards media after and before purchase, incorrect selection, and the like.

Additionally, as described above, if a second game medium is selected to be attached to one part of a character object, the selection of a first game medium may be cancelled, and the second game medium may be displayed as being tried on.

420 Furthermore, the receivercan further receive selection of at least one attribute from among a plurality of attributes provided for the game media related to the selection instruction.

29 FIG. 6 In the example shown in, a color bar that can receive the selection of the color of the selected game medium is displayed at the top of the second screen R, and the user can select at least one color from the displayed color bar. Further, after selecting such a color, a bar from which a taste can be selected may be further displayed so that at least one taste can be selected.

Furthermore, the attributes are not limited to such colors and tastes, but may be other parameters. For example, texture and blinking/scrolling patterns may be selectable as attributes.

According to such a configuration, a wide variety of game media can be selected even on a small screen such as that expected on a smartphone and the like.

420 100 24 410 410 10 When the receiverreceives a decision instruction from the user terminalvia the second object S, the display processorcan further display a fourth screen that is displayed to enable cancellation of the selection of the game media related to the selection instruction(s). At the same time, the display processorcan display, on the display screen S, a third object for executing the processing by the association portion.

34 FIG. 40 10 40 30 shows an example in which a fourth screen Sis displayed on the display screen S. The fourth screen Smay also be displayed on the purchase completion screen S.

44 430 Furthermore, in response to the selection of a third object S, the association portioncan store only the game media for which selection has not been cancelled in association with the character object.

34 FIG. 40 40 As shown in, the fourth screen Sis displayed to enable the selection of the game media related to the decision instruction to be canceled. On the fourth screen S, selection cancellation buttons for canceling the selections are displayed in association with the objects representing the game media related to the decision instruction.

34 FIG. 34 FIG. 41 42 43 41 42 43 41 42 43 In the example shown in, three selection cancellation buttons S, S, and Sare displayed in association with the respective objects representing the game media related to the three selection instructions. In the example shown in, of the three selection cancellation buttons S, S, and S, the selection cancellation button Sis in the selected state, and the selection cancellation buttons Sand Sare in the released state.

The user can switch between the selected state and the canceled state by selecting (tapping or the like) the selection cancellation buttons.

At this time, if multiple game media to be attached to one part of the character object are selected, it is possible to output an alert or the like that the attachment cannot be performed, or to set a selection cancellation button so that only one game medium can be selected.

35 FIG. 20 40 50 Additionally, as shown inas an example, the third screen Sand the fourth screen Smay be displayed as one screen S.

The basic flow is to purchase the item that the character object is trying on as is, but as in the configuration above, it is also possible to take off the item that the character object is trying on and just make the purchase. If the item being tried on is removed, an item that was previously attached may be re-attached.

440 36 FIG. One or more computer processors of this disclosure can further include a first determination portion, as shown inas an example.

440 The first determination portiondetermines whether the number of specific game media is insufficient.

440 The determination by the first determination portionis performed by comparing (i) the total number of specific game media required to purchase the game medium related to the selection instruction and (ii) the number of specific game media associated with (possessed by) the user.

430 440 The association portioncan associate and store the game medium related to the selection instruction with the user and the character object when the first determination portiondetermines that the number of specific game media is not insufficient.

440 60 60 10 20 37 FIG. On the other hand, when the first determination portiondetermines that the number of specific game media is insufficient, the screen transitions to a confirmation screen Sas shown in. This confirmation screen Scan be displayed superimposed on the display screen S, the third screen S, or the like.

61 62 60 61 65 38 FIG. A purchase object Sand a cancellation object Sare displayed on the confirmation screen S. When the purchase object Sis selected, the screen transitions to a coin purchase screen Sshown in, and the desired number of coins can be purchased.

Furthermore, the specific game media may be avatar points. Avatar points are points obtained by converting duplicate avatar parts into points according to the value of the duplicate parts, or converting the duplicate avatar parts into points equally, when avatar parts obtained through a gacha or the like are duplicated.

39 40 FIGS.and 6 20 10 show the second screen Rand the third screen Swhen game media that can be purchased with coins and game media that can be purchased with avatar points are mixed. In addition, the display screen Sdisplays the remaining number of avatar points in addition to the remaining amount of coins. In the drawing, “C” represents coins, and “A” represents avatar points.

60 65 70 75 37 38 FIGS.- 41 42 FIGS.- Furthermore, if there are not enough coins, the screen will transition to the screens Sand Sshown inabove, but if there are not enough avatar points, the screen will transition to screens Sand Sshown in. Additionally, if both coins and avatar points are insufficient, a screen for additionally purchasing these specific game media will be displayed either sequentially or on the same screen.

41 FIG. 42 FIG. 71 75 In, a confirmation screen is displayed asking whether to sell a duplicate game medium in order to obtain missing avatar points. When a sell object Sis selected, the screen transitions to a sell screen Sshown in, and avatar points can be increased by selling the duplicate game medium.

410 6 5 The display processorcan determine one or more game media to be displayed on the second screen Raccording to the attributes of the character object displayed on the first screen R.

One or more attributes can be set to the character object CO by user settings or automatically. Attributes include gender, age, preferred taste, and the like. Gender is not limited to male or female, and various genders can be set. Moreover, the favorite taste can be, for example, the favorite taste of clothes. For example, tastes related to the shape and color of clothes, such as boyish, girly, monotone, pastel, and vivid, may be set as attributes.

410 6 5 The display processorcan then determine one or more game media to be displayed on the second screen Raccording to the character object displayed on the first screen R, that is, the attributes of the character object currently being used by the user. That is, if the attributes are different, the displayed game media may also be different.

5 460 Furthermore, as described hereafter, even if the character object is switched on the first screen Rabove, the game media will be displayed according to the attributes of the displayed character object. At this time, processing by a second determination portion, which will be described later, is not essential.

According to this configuration, game media suitable for the character object are lined up in the shop, and the user's desire to purchase can be increased. In addition, by sorting the game media to be displayed in the shop, for a user who uses a smartphone or the like, which is expected to have a small display screen, it can reduce the hassle of searching for the desired game media from a large amount of game media.

450 36 FIG. The one or more computer processors in this disclosure can further include a change portion, as shown inas an example.

450 5 The change portionchanges the character object displayed on the first screen Rto another character object of the user according to the user's operation.

5 Here, the premise is that users can create multiple character objects as their own avatars. It is also possible to designate one character object from among multiple character objects as a main avatar. This main avatar designation can be changed on the above-mentioned closet screen, distribution preparation screen, and the like, but it is also possible to change the designation on the first screen R.

43 FIG. 44 FIG. 1 1 12 5 12 2 2 For example, as shown in, it is assumed that the user has specified character object CO, which is set as coordination, as a main avatar. Then, when a coordination field Sdisplayed on the first screen Ris selected, as shown in, the coordination field Sexpands, and it is possible to change the designation of the main avatar to character object CO, which is set as coordination, for example.

6 5 1 2 The game media displayed on the second screen Rcorrespond to the character object displayed on the first screen R. Therefore, the game media may be changed according to the change from the character object COto the character object CO. Details will be described hereafter.

12 It is also possible to newly create and delete character objects from the expanded coordination field S. However, an upper limit can be provided for the number of character objects that can be set by the user.

43 44 FIGS.and 6 Furthermore, in, the display of the second screen Rand the like is omitted.

460 36 FIG. The one or more computer processors in this disclosure can further include a second determination portion, as shown inas an example.

460 450 The second determination portiondetermines whether the attribute(s) of a character object and another character object are different in relation to the change process by the change portion.

460 410 6 Furthermore, if the second determination portiondetermines that the attribute(s) of the character object and another character object are different, the display processordetermines one or more game media to be displayed on the second screen Raccording to the attribute(s) of the other character object.

1 2 43 FIG. 44 FIG. For example, if the female-type character object COshown inis displayed, game media for women are sold at the shop, and if the male character object COshown inis displayed, game media for men will be sold at the shop. Additionally, unisex items can be displayed in both cases.

Furthermore, as described above, the attributes referred to here are not limited to gender, but include age, preferred taste, and the like.

420 410 10 11 20 20 When the receiverreceives a selection instruction of one or more game media that can be attached to a character object and one or more game media that can be attached to another character object, the display processorcan (i) further display, on the display screen S, the first object Sfor receiving a display instruction of the third screen S, which is displayed to enable cancellation of the selection of the game medium related to the selection instruction, and (ii) display, on the third screen S, a list of game media related to the selection instruction in a predetermined order for each character object to which the one or more game media are to be attached.

5 1 2 2 2 2 For example, on the first screen R, after the character object COis displayed and game medium A is selected, even if the character object COis displayed, the selection of game medium A is maintained. At this time, the game medium A may be displayed by being worn by the character object CO, or may be displayed without being worn by the character object CO. It is also possible to newly select game medium B after displaying the character object CO.

1 2 410 2 5 Additionally, according to the attribute(s) of the character object COand the character object CO, and the attribute(s) of the game medium A, the display processormay determine whether the game medium A may be worn on the character object COdisplayed on the first screen R.

1 2 1 410 1 For example, in the case in which the character object COis a female-type character object and game medium A is female-type clothes, when the display is changed from the character object COto the character object CO, which is a female-type character object, the display processordisplays the game medium A by attaching it to the character object CO.

1 1 2 410 2 Meanwhile, in the case in which the character object COis a female-type character object and the game medium A is female-type clothes, when the display is changed from the character object COto the character object CO, which is a male-type character object, the display processordoes not allow the game medium A to be attached to the character object CO.

1 1 2 410 2 Alternatively, if the character object COis a female-type character object and the game medium A is unisex clothing, when the display is changed from the character object COto the character object CO, which is a male-type character object, the display processordisplays the game medium A by attaching it to the character object CO.

5 Thus, when an attribute of the character object displayed on the first screen Rand an attribute of the game medium related to the selection instruction have a predetermined relationship, the game medium is displayed in association with the character object.

20 Then, on the third screen S, the game medium related to the selection instruction can be displayed for each character object.

410 Furthermore, when multiple game media to be attached to one part of the character object are selected, the display processorcan switch and display multiple game media according to the user's movement or operation.

In the shop, it may be possible to make only one item be selectable to attach to one body part, or the user may be able to select as many items as s/he likes without setting an upper limit. Even in the latter case, only one item can be attached to (tried on) the character object at a time. Thus, if the user wants the character object to try on clothes it has already taken off, the user needs to select the previous game medium again. However, according to the above configuration, it becomes possible to switch between at least two game media according to the user's movement or operation. Examples of the user's movements include winking, raising a hand, and the like, and examples of operations include swiping, double tapping, and the like.

According to this configuration, even if the user is wondering which item to purchase, comparison becomes easy and helps the user in making a purchase.

410 If multiple game media to be attached to one part of the character object are selected, the display processorcan divide the one part into a plurality of regions and attach and displays each of the multiple game media that is selected in a respective one of the regions.

For example, game media attached on the right and left sides of the body can be displayed separately.

According to this configuration, even if the user is wondering which item to purchase, comparison becomes easy and helps the user in making a purchase.

410 5 The display processorcan display a still image or video related to the character object of the user separately from the character object displayed on the first screen R.

Additionally, the still image or video related to the user's character object may be, for example, (i) a three-dimensional character object itself displayed on the first screen, (ii) a two-dimensional version of the character object, or (iii) a smaller version of the character object (mini avatar). In the still image or video of the user's character object that is displayed at this time, the user's movement need not be reflected.

5 Additionally, the still image or video related to the user's character object may be, (i) a three-dimensional character object (character object with different coordination) itself that is not being displayed on the first screen R, (ii) a two-dimensional version of the character object, or (iii) a smaller version of the character object (mini avatar). In the still image or video of the user's character object that is displayed at this time, the user's movement need not be reflected.

For example, the above-described comparison becomes easier by displaying the mini avatar of the currently displayed character object on the screen. Also, by displaying the mini avatars of non-displayed character objects on the screen, it becomes easier to understand the overall image when purchasing items of multiple avatars.

430 420 The association portioncan associate and store the game medium related to the selection instruction with a user and a character object with a restriction, based on the selection instruction and a tentative decision instruction received by the receiver.

Regarding a flow of the processing from the selection instruction to the tentative decision instruction, the flow of the processing is the same as the flow of the processing from the selection instruction to the decision instruction described above. However, when the tentative decision instruction is received, a restriction is placed on the association of the user and character object with the game medium related to the selection instruction.

Such a restriction may, by way of example, relate to the duration of the association.

A restriction on the duration of the association refers to a so-called rental period of game media, and is a restriction that limits the association period to days, hours, a distribution time slot, or the like.

This period may be one predetermined period for each selectable game medium, or may be one that the user can select from among multiple predetermined periods.

Then, when the period ends, the game medium that is associated with the user and character object with the restriction is disassociated from the user and character object.

At this time, in order to avoid the character object being in a state of not wearing clothes, an appropriate game medium can be newly associated with the character object from among the game media already associated with the user. For example, the game medium that was associated immediately before the game medium related to the disassociation can be newly associated with the character object.

Thus, the user can rent clothes sold at the shop.

At this time, the game medium may be displayed in a manner that allows the user or other users to understand that the game medium is a rental item.

For example, it is possible to display characters, marks, or the like on the game medium that make it clear that the game medium is a rental product.

Additionally, it is also possible to change the display mode of the game medium when the above-mentioned deadline approaches (for example, 10 minutes remaining) or as the deadline approaches. Changes in display mode include increasing transparency, decreasing color brightness and/or saturation, and the like.

Furthermore, if a predetermined number of hours/days remain in the above-mentioned deadline, the user may be notified of this fact.

430 430 Additionally, a consumption amount of specific game media when the association portionstores the game media related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object with a restriction can be less than a consumption amount of the specific game media when the association portionstores the game media related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object.

That is, it is possible to set the price of renting game media to be cheaper than purchasing it.

Furthermore, the consumption amount of specific game media at the time of rental may vary depending on the rental period. Additionally, such rental period may be extended by consuming additional specific game media.

Additionally, the above-described restriction can be cancelled by consumption of specific game media by the user or another user.

The other user here can be another user in the virtual space, a co-starring user in a video distribution, or a viewing user.

Additionally, the number of specific game media required to lift the restriction can be the selling price, or can be the selling price minus the rental fees paid.

Once the restriction is lifted, it is possible to associate the game media with the user as if it were purchased rather than rented.

Additionally, if the accumulated amount of rental fees reaches the selling price, the restriction can be lifted and the game media can be associated with the user as a purchase rather than a rental.

470 36 FIG. The one or more computer programs in this disclosure can further include a notification portion, as shown inas an example.

470 100 After the association is canceled due to a restriction, the notification portiondisplays, on the user terminal, a notification indicating that the number of specific game media to be consumed when associating the game media related to the selection instruction has been reduced, at a predetermined timing,

In other words, the user is notified that the price of the rented item has been reduced. According to this configuration, it is possible to encourage the user to purchase game media.

480 36 FIG. The one or more computer processors in this disclosure can further include a third determination portion, as shown inas an example.

480 The third determination portiondetermines whether the game medium related to the selection instruction includes a plurality of game media having a predetermined relationship.

Examples of predetermined relationships include a set relationship (a set of tops and bottoms, items with the same theme, or the like), a relationship between different colors, and the like.

480 430 Then, when the third determination portiondetermines that multiple game media having a predetermined relationship are included, the association portioncan reduce the number of specific game media consumed when associating the game media related to the selection instruction, and store the game media related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object.

This is, in other words, a discount from the selling price.

480 480 430 Additionally, the third determination portiondetermines whether the number of game media related to the selection instruction is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. When the third determination portiondetermines that the number of game media related to the selection instruction is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, the association portionmay reduce the number of specific game media consumed when associating the game media related to the selection instruction, and store the game media related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object.

According to this configuration, it is possible to encourage the user to purchase game media.

410 420 430 Also, when the user is a video distributing user, the processing by the display processor, the receiver, and the association portionis executed while the video is being distributed so that a video viewing user can view it.

An object of this disclosure described above was to allow the users to smoothly start distributing a video and the like by reducing the steps from using the shop to distributing a video. According to the above configuration, since the user can use the shop while the video is being distributed, it will be possible to start distributing the video more smoothly.

In addition, by distributing to the viewing user the situation of the user using the shop, interaction with the viewing user will become more active. For example, the user can decide which game medium to purchase by looking at comments posted by the viewing user.

Furthermore, the number of specific game media consumed may be varied depending on the number of viewing users. For example, a configuration can be used in which the greater the number of viewing users, the greater the discount from the selling price.

In addition, the viewing user can give the video a ticket or the like, as a gift that can be used by the user to purchase or rent game media at the shop.

410 100 200 Furthermore, the display processorcan make at least part of the display screen different between the user terminalof the distributing user and the user terminalof the viewing user.

For example, items related to coins/points owned by the user can be non-displayed with respect to the viewing user.

60 65 70 75 37 FIG. 38 FIG. 41 FIG. 42 FIG. Additionally, the confirmation screen Sshown in, the coin purchase screen Sshown in, the confirmation screen Sshown in, and the sell screen Sshown incan also be non-displayed with respect to the viewing user.

Furthermore, each function in this disclosure can also be applied to a shop installed in a metaverse space, regardless of whether a video is distributed.

Next, an example of an information processing method in an embodiment of this disclosure will be explained.

3000 3000 100 400 3 FIG. The information processing method in the embodiment of this disclosure is an information processing method in the information processing systemshown in. The information processing systemincludes at least the user terminaland the server device.

45 FIG. 3000 410 420 430 As shown inas an example, the information processing method in this disclosure causes one or more computer processors included in the information processing systemto execute a display processing step S, a receiving step S, and an associating step S.

410 410 410 The display processing step Sdisplays a display screen that includes a first screen that displays a character object of the user, and a second screen that selectably displays one or more game media that can be attached to the character object. This display processing step Scan be executed by the display processordescribed above.

410 400 100 The display processing step Smay be executed at the server side (server device) or at the client side (user terminal).

420 420 420 In the receiving step S, a selection instruction of at least one game medium from among the one or more game media is received from the user terminal. Such receiving step Smay be executed by the receiving portiondescribed above.

420 400 100 The receiving step Smay be executed at the server side (server device) or at the client side (user terminal).

430 420 430 430 In the associating step S, a predetermined number of specific game media associated with the user is consumed based on the selection instruction received in the receiving step S. At the same time, the game medium related to the selection instruction is stored in association with the user and the character object. This associating step Scan be executed by the association portiondescribed above.

430 400 100 The receiving step Smay be executed at the server side (server device) or at the client side (user terminal).

The above-described configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least part of the problem of the conventional technology described above.

Next, a computer program in an embodiment of this disclosure will be explained.

3000 3000 100 400 3 FIG. The computer program in the embodiment of this disclosure is a computer program executed in the information processing systemshown in. The information processing systemincludes at least the user terminaland the server device.

3000 The computer program in this disclosure causes one or more computer processors included in the information processing systemto realize a display processing function, a receiving function, and an associating function.

The display processing function displays a display screen that includes a first screen that displays the character object of the user, and a second screen that selectably displays one or more game media that can be attached to the character object.

The receiving function receives a selection instruction of at least one game medium from among the one or more game media from the user terminal.

The associating function consumes a predetermined number of specific game media associated with the user based on the selection instruction received by the receiving function, and also stores the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object.

1410 1430 1410 1420 1430 410 420 430 46 FIG. The above-described functions can be realized by circuitstoshown in. It is assumed that the display processing circuit, the receiving circuit, and the associating circuitare realized by the display processor, the receiver, and the association portiondescribed above, respectively. Details of each portion are as described above.

The above-described configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least part of the problem of the conventional technology described above.

100 3000 Next, an information processing device in an embodiment of this disclosure will be explained. The information processing device corresponds to the user terminalin the information processing systemdescribed above.

110 120 130 47 FIG. The information processing device includes a display processor, a receiver, and an association portion, as shown in.

110 110 410 The display processordisplays a display screen that includes a first screen that displays the character object of the user, and a second screen that selectably displays one or more game media that can be attached to the character object. This display processorcan have a similar configuration to the display processordescribed above.

120 120 420 The receiverreceives a selection instruction of at least one game medium from among the one or more game media. The receivercan have a similar configuration to the receiverdescribed above.

130 120 130 430 The association portionconsumes a predetermined number of specific game media associated with the user based on the selection instruction received by the receiver, and also stores the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object. The association portioncan have a similar configuration to the association portiondescribed above.

The above-described configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least part of the problem of the conventional technology described above.

100 Next, an example of an information processing method in an embodiment of this disclosure will be explained. This information processing method is an information processing method executed in the above-mentioned information processing device (user terminal).

110 120 130 48 FIG. The information processing method in this disclosure causes the information processing device to execute the display processing step S, the receiving step S, and the associating step S, as shown as an example in.

110 110 110 The display processing step Sdisplays a display screen that includes a first screen that displays the character object of the user, and a second screen that selectably displays one or more game media that can be attached to the character object. This display processing step Scan be executed by the display processordescribed above.

120 120 120 The receiving step Sreceives a selection instruction of at least one game medium from among the one or more game media. The receiving step Scan be executed by the receiverdescribed above.

130 120 130 130 The association step Sconsumes a predetermined number of specific game media associated with the user based on the selection instruction received in the receiving step S, and also stores the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object. The association step Scan be executed by the association portiondescribed above.

The above-described configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least part of the problem of the conventional technology described above.

100 Finally, a computer program in an embodiment of this disclosure will be explained. This computer program is a computer program executed in the information processing device (user terminal) described above.

The computer program in this disclosure causes an information processing device to realize a display processing function, a receiving function, and an associating function.

The display processing function displays a display screen that includes a first screen that displays the character object of the user, and a second screen that selectably displays one or more game media that can be attached to the character object.

The receiving function receives a selection instruction of at least one game medium from among the one or more game media.

The associating function consumes a predetermined number of specific game media associated with the user based on the selection instruction received by the receiving function, and also stores the game medium related to the selection instruction in association with the user and the character object.

1110 1130 1110 1120 1130 110 120 130 49 FIG. The above-described functions can be realized by circuitstoshown in. It is assumed that the display processing circuit, the receiving circuit, and the associating circuitare realized by the display processor, the receiver, and the association portiondescribed above, respectively. Details of each portion are as described above.

The above-described configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least part of the problem of the conventional technology described above.

In order to function as the server device or the terminal device according to the above-described embodiments, an information processing device such as a computer or a mobile phone can be suitably used. Such an information processing device can be realized by storing in the memory of the information processing device a program that describes processing details for realizing each function of the server device or the terminal device according to the embodiment, and having the CPU of the information processing device read out and execute the program.

50 FIG. 50 FIG. 600 is a block diagram of processing circuitry for performing computer-based operations in accordance with this disclosure.shows a processing circuit, which corresponds to a CPU of the terminal(s) and device(s) in this disclosure.

600 The processing circuitcan be used to control any computer-based or cloud-based control process, and the flowchart descriptions or blocks can be understood as expressing modules, segments or portions of one or more executable commands for implementing specific logical functions or steps within the process, and alternative implementations are included within the exemplary embodiments of this advancement in which the function may be executed. The order from that shown or discussed includes substantially the same or the reverse order depending on the functionality involved, as will be understood by one skilled in the art. The functionality of the elements disclosed herein can be implemented using processing circuits or circuits including general purpose processors, special purpose processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (“Application Specific Integrated Circuits”), conventional circuits configured or programmed to perform the disclosed functions, and/or combinations thereof. A processor may be a circuit or may process circuits so as to include transistors and other circuits therewithin. The processor may be a processor programmed to execute programs stored in memory. In this disclosure, processing circuits, units, and means are hardware that performs or is programmed to perform the enumerated functions. The hardware can be any hardware disclosed herein or any commonly known hardware that is otherwise programmed or configured to perform the enumerated functions.

50 FIG. 600 601 602 604 600 600 In, the processing circuitincludes a CPUthat executes one or more of the control processes discussed in this disclosure. Process data and instructions may be stored in a memory. These processes and instructions may also be stored on a storage medium disk, such as a hard drive (HDD) or portable storage medium, or may be stored remotely. Furthermore, the advancement(s) recited in the scope of the claims is not limited by the form of computer-readable media on which the instructions of the process are stored. For example, the instructions may be stored on a CD, DVD, flash memory RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, hard disk, or any other non-transitory computer-readable medium in an information processing device with which the processing circuitcommunicates, such as a server or computer. The processes may also be stored in network-based storage, cloud-based storage, or other mobile-accessible storage and be executable by the processing circuit.

601 Further, the claimed advancement may be provided as a utility application, a background daemon, or an operating system component, or as a combination thereof, and can be executed along with the CPUand an operating system such as Microsoft Windows, UNIX, Solaris, LINUX, Apple MAC-OS, Apple iOS and other systems known to those skilled in the art.

600 601 50 FIG. The hardware elements for realizing the processing circuitmay be realized by various circuit elements. In addition, each function of the above-described embodiment may be realized by a circuit including one or more processing circuits. The processing circuits include a specially programmed processor, such as the processor (CPU)shown in. The processing circuits also include devices such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and conventional circuit components arranged to perform the enumerated functions.

601 601 Alternatively, or additionally, the CPUmay be implemented on an FPGA, ASIC, or PLD, or using discrete logic circuits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Also, the CPUmay be realized as a plurality of processors operating in parallel and in cooperation to execute the above-described instructions of the processes of this disclosure.

600 606 700 700 700 606 50 FIG. The processing circuitofalso includes a network controllersuch as an Ethernet PRO network interface card for interfacing with the network. As can be appreciated, the networkcan be a public network such as the Internet, or a private network such as a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), or any combination thereof, and may also include a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or integrated services digital network (ISDN) sub-networks. The networkcan also be wired, such as an Ethernet network, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable, or the like, or wireless, such as a cellular network including EDGE, 3G and 4G wireless cellular systems. The wireless network can also be Wi-Fi, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, or any other form of wireless communication known. Additionally, the network controllermay comply with other direct communication standards such as Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), infrared or others.

600 608 609 612 614 616 609 612 618 The processing circuitfurther includes a display controller, such as a graphics card or graphics adapter, for interfacing with a display, such as a monitor. An I/O interfaceinterfaces with a keyboard and/or a mouseand a touch screen panelon or separate from the display. The I/O interfacealso connects to various peripheral devices.

624 604 626 600 609 614 608 624 606 612 A storage controllerconnects the storage media diskwith a communication bus, which may be ISA, EISA, VESA, PCI or similar, and which interconnects all components of the processing circuit. A description of the general features and functionality of the display, the keyboard and/or mouse, the display controller, the storage controller, the network controller, and the I/O interface, is omitted here for brevity because these features are commonly known.

The exemplary circuit elements described in the context of this disclosure may be replaced with other elements or may be of different construction than the examples provided herein. Further, circuits configured to perform the functions described in this specification may be implemented in multiple circuit units (e.g., chips), or the features may be combined in circuits on a single chipset.

The functions and features described herein may also be performed by various distributed components of the system. For example, one or more processors may perform these system functions, where the processors are distributed among a plurality of components communicating within a network. Distributed components can include one or more client and server machines that can share processing, as well as various human interfaces and communication devices (e.g., display monitors, smartphones, tablets, or personal digital assistants (PDAs)). The network may be a private network such as LAN or WAN, or a public network such as the Internet. Input to the system is received through direct user input and can be received remotely in real time or as a batch process. Moreover, some implementations may be performed on hardware or modules that are not identical to those described. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of what is claimed.

While several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the disclosure, and are included in the scope of the disclosure described in the claims, and their equivalents.

Further, the methods described in the embodiments can be stored on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, or the like), optical disc (CD-ROM, DVD, MO, or the like), semiconductor memory (ROM, RAM, flash memory, or the like), or the like, as programs that can be executed by a computer (computer), or can be sent and distributed via a communication medium. The programs stored on the medium include setting programs that configure, in the computer, software means (including not only executable programs but also tables and data structures) executed by the computer. A computer that realizes this device reads a program stored on a recording medium, and depending on the case, constructs software means by a setting program, and executes the above-described processes through operations controlled by the software means. The term “recording medium” as used herein is not limited to those for distribution, and includes storage media such as magnetic disks and semiconductor memory provided inside the computer or equipment connected via a network. A memory may function, for example, as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or cache memory.

100 First user terminal 400 Server device 410 Display processor 420 Receiver 430 Association portion